Establishing a consistent bedtime routine is a prelude to a great night’s sleep, which is critical for young bodies and brains.
Here are some great ways to create healthy bedtime habits for you and your family.
Screen-Free Down Time
Electronic devices are an integral part of our lives. Even young children may spend time each day using tablets, mobile phones, and e-readers. However, the light emitted from these devices can hinder sleep, so make sure you incorporate some screen-free down time before bed.
Great substitutes for these electronics are good old-fashioned books, storytelling time, board games and puzzles.
Brush Up
Children and parents should learn more about preventive dental care and the importance of a healthy oral care routine. They can also give back and help other children in the community who may not have access to dental care.
A free downloadable coloring book, “Brushing Fun,” is available to help introduce kids to healthy habits. Each free download will trigger a donation of 10 tubes of Tom’s of Maine Wicked Cool! Natural Toothpaste to Oral Health America (OHA) is a non-profit dedicated to increasing access to oral health care, education, and advocacy for all Americans. The coloring book, which can be personalized with a child’s name, offers games, puzzles, tips and facts about oral care, and a story that encourages kids to appreciate nature.
“Brushing twice a day is a fundamental healthy habit. Kids are never too young to learn how to take care of their smile,” says Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom’s of Maine.
The Tom’s of Maine Dental Health for All program has 200,000 annual patient visits possible and d has made more tistributed more than a million tubes of free toothpaste. To learn more, visit www.TomsofMaine.com.
Set a Schedule
Sticking to a set bedtime for kids may take a lot of work at first for you and your children. However, the benefits will be clarified once everyone adjusts to the schedule.
A consistent bedtime policy will be easier to enforce, and kids’ internal clocks will likely adjust to the schedule over time. To determine an appropriate bedtime for your school-age kids, factor in the Mayo Clinic recommendation of nine to 11 hours of sleep per night.
For better sleep and healthy smiles, create bedtime routines for you and your family that are easy to follow.
